Supporting community during a crisis The shutdown of schools and businesses due to the
These grants supported nonprofits as they navigated
pandemic presented new challenges for the community,
the unique challenges presented by the pandemic.
especially those already made vulnerable by systemic
Grants provided personal protective equipment (PPE)
racism and inequities.
and cleaning supplies for organizations like shelters and
“Urgent and increased community need, particularly among Black and Brown communities, led us to adapt our approach to traditional grantmaking,” said Sandy Barry-Loken, senior Community Investment officer
senior living centers serving community members facing increased risk. Funds also helped provide nonprofits the remote technology needed to keep their operations running during this critical time.
at KZCF. “The Community Urgent Relief Fund (CURF)
Although KZCF and UWBCKR concluded joint crisis
exists to help respond quickly and efficiently when the
relief grantmaking in mid-June, a minimal balance will
community is facing a crisis and when a crisis inevitably
be maintained in preparation for the next time the
arises in the future.”
community may need a coordinated emergency
In partnership with United Way of the Battle Creek
funding response.
and Kalamazoo Region (UWBCKR), KZCF was able to
If you’re interested in continuing to support your
distribute 95 relief grants totaling more than $2.4 million
community, connect with one of our Donor Relations
to local nonprofits working overtime to meet the needs
officers or consider making a gift to our Love Where
of individuals and families in Kalamazoo County.
You Live Funds.
H.O.P.E. during the pandemic Cancellation of major fundraising events and staff and
transition back into society. Obtaining housing is difficult,
volunteer limitations made it challenging for nonprofits
especially when affordability is added to the equation.
to meet increased demand for services during the
A criminal background that bars you from employment
pandemic. Additionally, many local nonprofits deliver
means you can’t earn the resources to pay rent. The
services to communities made vulnerable because of
pandemic made these existing circumstances worse.
systemic racism and social inequities. The pandemic’s impact was amplified for these groups.
“The CURF funding was so helpful because newly released people didn’t have phones for us to
Emergency grants could not solve every challenge, but
communicate with them or get them connected
the Kalamazoo Community Foundation’s Community
with support,” Hooker said. “People couldn’t afford
Urgent Relief Fund (CURF) made it possible for nonprofits
sanitizer and masks. The grants helped people stay in
to sustain and even ramp up operations. Helping Other
their homes while laid off, furloughed or waiting for
People Exceed (H.O.P.E.) thru Navigation, a CURF grant
unemployment. We were able to place people who had
recipient, helps those with criminal backgrounds and/
recently been released from prison or treatment facilities
or substance abuse disorders navigate services that
into temporary housing when they had nowhere to go.”
promote stable lives.
Hooker believes the CURF grant protected more of our
According to Gwendolyn Hooker, executive director
community from exposure to COVID-19 by providing PPE
of H.O.P.E., structurally racist and inequitable systems
and stable housing so physical distancing was possible
create barriers for newly released individuals to
during the pandemic. SUMMER 2020
KALFOUND.ORG
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